Chiba University Matsudo/Kashiwa Campus Plant Database

Details of genus: Melianthus L. [566]

genus_ja:

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pub_year:

accepted: Accepted

Family: Melianthaceae

family_ja: メリアンツス

Infra familial classification:

distribution_en:

description_en: Genus of 6 species of evergreen shrubs from grassland in hilly areas of southern Africa. The alternate, pinnate, light green, grey-green, or blue-green leaves have prominent stipules. Small flowers, producing profuse quantities of nectar, are borne in erect, terminal and axillary racemes; each has 5 irregular sepals and petals, the upper ones often forming a hood or tube, and the lower ones making a short spur. Grow in a border or as specimen plants; they are particularly suited to a coastal garden. In frost-prone areas, grow tender species as foliage plants in a cold greenhouse, and stand or plant outside in summer. Alternatively, treat them as herbaceous perennials; where temperatures do not fall much below -5°C (23°F), they will usually re-sprout annually from the base.

hardiness_en: Frost hardy to frost tender; M. major may survive temperatures just below 0°C (32°F), if the wood has been well ripened in summer.

cultivation_en:

propagation_en: Sow seed at 13-18°C (55-64°F) in spring. Root basal or soft-wood cuttings in late spring or early summer. Remove any rooted suckers in spring.

pests_en: Susceptible to red spider mites and whiteflies under glass.

description_ja:

comment: S.Africa

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Phylogenetic definition:

Update Information: Created: 2007-12-06 12:51; Updated: 2020-07-05 11:41

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